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Yellow Wiggle Greg Page suffers cardiac arrest on stage at bushfire relief concert

Greg Page of The Wiggles performs on stage during The Wiggles Celebration Tour at Sydney Entertainment Centre on December 23, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. This concert is the final time the original members of The Wiggles will perform on stage together as Greg, Murray and Jeff are retiring.
Yellow Wiggle Greg Page (pictured in 2012) has suffered a cardiac arrest during a bushfire relief concert. Photo: Getty Images.

Blue Wiggle Anthony Field has taken to Instagram to share a heartfelt message after his bandmate, Yellow Wiggle Greg Page, collapsed onstage and was rushed to hospital on Friday night.

Anthony shared a trio of photos featuring Greg and revealed that he and fellow Wiggles Jeff Fatt and Murray Cook are still ‘in shock’.

“Such a joy being together with my mates tonight. So sorry to see Greg so ill at the end of the show. We are all in shock, please get better mate, I’m praying for you,” he wrote.

Greg, 48, suffered a cardiac arrest on stage during Friday night’s bushfire relief concert in Sydney.

He was treated by medics on the scene before being rushed to hospital where he underwent a ‘procedure,’ according to tweets by the Aussie band’s official account.

“As has been reported, our friend Greg Page suffered a cardiac arrest at the end of the bushfire relief performance and was taken to hospital,” a tweet shared at 3.11 am on Saturday read.

“He has had a procedure and is now recovering in hospital. We appreciate your kind messages and concern”.

As reported by Sydney Morning Herald, a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman confirmed a 48-year-old man was taken from Castle Hill RSL to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition on Friday night.

An earlier tweet posted at 11.20 pm informed fans of Greg’s shock health issue and promised to ‘provide more information as it comes to hand’.

“Update: At the end of the show this evening there was a medical incident off stage involving Greg Page. Medics were called immediately and he was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment. We will provide more information as it comes to hand”.

Yellow Wiggle collapses

The ‘medical incident’ occurred at the end of the group’s over-18’s only fundraiser performance at Castle Hill RSL, with footage showing Greg thanking the 800-strong crowd before collapsing at the side of the stage.

A flurry of people rushes across the stage to Greg’s aid as the curtain is hastily drawn.

Amid the confusion, Red Wiggle Murray Cook addresses the audience, saying that the band won’t be playing their final song, “Hot Potato”.

“Guys I think we're going to end it there. Greg's not feeling real well. I think he's going to be OK but he's not feeling real well so I don't think we can go on with another song,” he says.

After ensuring Greg has received ‘medical attention,’ the three remaining Wiggles regroup to perform the song.

“We're going to sing it for Greg and hope he gets better real quick,” Blue Wiggle Anthony Field says.

Fears for Greg

Fans in Australia and around the globe have also taken to social media to share messages of support for Greg.

“All my love to Greg and his family. He was truly a champion tonight, powering through for those in need. We're all hoping and praying for his recovery!” wrote a concertgoer.

“Many prayers from South Carolina, USA. Our family has handed down The Wiggles since 2003. My brother’s children saw a Wiggles Concert 3 times. Now my wife 3 children and I have seen the Wiggles twice. We hope for a speedy recovery!!” an American fan wished.

One fan who also attended the concert shared a photo of an ambulance and stated that Greg was being ‘treated’.

“Greg will be okay. The ambos are here and treating him. Wish him well. Love you Greg!” they wrote.

Fans shared messages of support following Greg Page's cardiac arrest. Photo: Twitter.
Fans shared messages of support following Greg Page's cardiac arrest. Photo: Twitter.

The Wiggles are scheduled to play a second reunion show at the same venue on Saturday night however there’s no word from the band’s reps on whether or not it will go ahead.

More to come.

Greg’s health woes

Greg has long been open about his battle with orthostatic intolerance, a circulatory system disorder that affects blood flow and can cause sufferers to faint, become weak or, more seriously, experience heart issues.

The condition saw him retire from the group in 2006 after 15 years, with understudy Sam Moran pulling on the iconic yellow skivvy.

Greg returned in 2012 but stepped back along with Murray and Jeff at the end of that same year. The sold-out bushfire relief show was the first time the four original Wiggles members - Greg, Anthony Field, Murray Cook and Jeff Fatt - would perform together in eight years.

Jeff Fatt, Anthony Field, Greg Page and Murray Cook of The Wiggles perform on stage during The Wiggles Celebration Tour at Sydney Entertainment Centre on December 23, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. This concert is the final time the original members of The Wiggles will perform on stage together as Greg, Murray and Jeff are retiring.
The 'original Wiggles are reuniting for a one-off fundraising show. Photo: Getty Images.

Wiggles reunion sells out

The Wiggles sold out their bushfire fundraising concert within hours of tickets going on sale at 10 am on Tuesday.

The band even added a second show to accommodate the demand, but it too sold out.

The four original members of the Aussie children’s music group announced they would reunite for a very special, one-off show on January 6.

And it’s all for a very worthwhile cause - the OG skivvy-wearing band are raising funds for the current bushfire crisis that’s claimed the lives of at least 21 people, destroyed thousands of homes and wiped out half a billion animals so far.

Anthony, Murray, Greg and Jeff (if he wakes up) will come together at the Castle Hill RSL on January 18 - but mums and dads take note, this is over-18s only event.

“People can drink whatever they like and sing along to Joannie Works With Five Hammers!” Blue Wiggle Anthony told Natalie Peters and Erin Molan on 2BG radio.

Tickets are just $35 and all funds raised will be donated to Australian Red Cross and WIRES, two charities that are supporting people and animals affected by the catastrophic fires raging along the country’s east coast.

The Wiggles pose for a photograph before performing at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on March 10, 2005 in Sydney, Australia.
The Wiggles at one of their last performances together as a foursome in 2005. Photo: Getty Images.

Who are The Wiggles?

The Wiggles was founded in 1991 after Jeff and Anthony - then members of ‘80s pop band The Cockroaches - got together with fellow teaching students Greg and Murray to record a children’s music album.

Sadly, Yellow Wiggle Greg retired from the group in 2006 due to illness, with understudy Sam Moran pulling on the skivvy. Greg returned in 2012 for a ‘Celebration Tour’ but stepped back along with Murray and Jeff at the end of that same year.

The current members of The Wiggles are Emma Watkins (the band’s first female member who replaced Greg), Lachlan Gillespie (who replaced Jeff), Simon Pryce (who replaced Murray) and original Blue Wiggle Anthony Field.

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